The Stream

The Center for Marriage Policy

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Despite a valiant effort, Doug Hoffman of New York's Conservative Party fell short of winning New York's 23rd Congressional District. The seat was won by Democrat Bill Owens which was held previously by Republican John McHugh, who was appointed Secretary of the Army by President Obama last June. So the Democrats have gained a seat.

And yes, Democrats and the liberal media will make much of the fight that occurred between supporters of Hoffman and Dede Scozzafava, the Republican nominee who turned out to be to the left of President Obama. After dropping out of the race last weekend, Scozzafava endorsed Owens much to the chagrin of RNC Chairman Michael Steele and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich both of whom had publicly supported her.

Yet the silver lining in all of this is that the Republican Party won't make the same mistake twice. Hoffman proved himself to be a viable enough candidate that I believe this won't be the last we hear of him. In fact, I think there's a good chance there will be a rematch between Owens and Hoffman this time next year. If the economy doesn't improve and Obamacare proves unpopular there could be a different outcome. With this in mind, next time around, Hoffman will get the support of both New York's Conservative Party and the Republican Party.